Clamp.



J. B. FORSHAY.

CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED 0:010. 1915.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

Witnesses THB COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH c0., WASHINGTON. D. \2.

JESSE B. FORSHAY, 0F CLEVELAND, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGN'OB OF ONE-HALF T0 ROBERT P. INMAN, OF CLEVELAND, OKLAHOMA.

CLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

Application filed December 10, 1915. Serial No. 66,227.

useful Clamp, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a clamp especially designed for use in connection with steel tanks such as employed for holding oil, the said clamp being especially useful when it is desirable to remove the man-hole cover from the head of a tank as, for example, in case of lire.

One of the objects ofthe invention is to provide a simple form of clamp which can be fastened securely in position so as to hold the man-hole cover in place after the bolts have been removed therefrom, means being employed whereby the clamp can be released by a person standing at a distance from the tank so as thus to free the cover and permit the contents of the tank to flow therefrom. Thus in the event of fire it is possible to save the oil in the tank and the burning oil can be prevented from boiling over. Consequently a great saving can be effected.

ll ith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing which is a view partly in elevation and partly in section, the preferred form of the invention has been shown, the clamp being illustrated by full lines in its set or holding position and, by dotted lines in its released position.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference 1 and 2 designate opposed bars curved toward each other at one end and pivotally connected, as shown at 2. The bar 1 has an opening 3 in which is pivotally mounted a bolt t provided with a recessed head 5 at its free end. Binding screws 6 extend through the bar 1 at points between the bolt 4 and the free end of the bar.

Formed within the bar 2 is a longitudinal slot 7 one end portion of which is adapted to receive the head 5 when the bars 1 and 2 are in set or parallel positions. Pivotally mounted in the slot 7 is a locking eccentric 8 having a tongue 9 extending from its periphery, while a recess 10 projects into the eccentric close to the tongue. The tongue 9 1 is adapted to extend close to one end of slot 7 so that, when the bolt 4 is directed into the slot it will strike against the tongue 9 and cause the eccentric 8 to swing about its pivot 11, thus bringing the recess 10 in position to receive the head 5, as shown in the drawing. A notch 12 is formed in the periphery of the eccentric and is so positioned that, when head 5 is seated in the recess 10, the end of a locking dog 13 will be seated in the notch 12 and hold the eccentric against movement out of locking position. This dog is pivotally mounted in the slot 7 and'one end thereof projects close to a cam 1 1 secured to a pin 15 which is mounted for rotation in the bar 2 and extends transversely of the slot 7. An operating arm 16 is secured to one end of the pin and when this arm and the cam 1 1 are in their normal positions, the dog 13 will be free to enter the notch 12 and lock the eccentric 8 against rotation so that bolt will thus be fastened within the slot 7 and the bar 1 held parallel or substantially parallel with the bar 2. A clamping screw 17 extends through the bar 2 adjacent its free end and preferably opposite one of the screws 6.

As before pointed out, the clamp herein described is especially designed for use in connection with tanks containing oil, in the event of fire. Under these conditions the clamp is applied to the tank and man-hole cover so as to bind the cover securely in place, bolt 41 being locked to the bar 2 by the eccentric 8 and dog 13 as shown in full lines in the drawing. After the clamp has thus been applied, the bolts holding the cover plate are removed. A rope is extended from the arm 16 to a point a considerable distance from the tank and by pulling on the rope the arm 16 will be swung so as to rotate the cam 14. The cam will press against dog 13 and disengage it from eccentric 8 and the bolt i will thus be free to pull the eccentric so as to become released, thus allowing the bars 1 and 2 to swing apart and release the cover plate engaged by the clamp. Thus the contents of the tank will be free to flow therefrom and boiling over ofthe oil Will a considerable saving efbers against movement from each other, a dog engaging the bolt holding means to hold it in active position, and means for shifting the dog to release said bolt engaging means, said means including a camqnounted for rotation relative to the dog, and an arm for rotating the cam.

In testimony that I claim the fore oing as my own, I have hereto afliXed my slgnature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JESSE B. FORSHAY.

Witnesses:

D. P. MoGLnRE, ROBERT P. INMAN.

. copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patentu,

Washington, D. 0. 

